We’ve been facing the media’s refusal to provide information about anything negative about telecommunications devices like wifi or smart meters. The recent removal of the UK article “Is Wifi making your child ill?” from many newspapers highlights the problem. Many of those newspapers are published by CanWest. Could this be why the article was removed and the public is being prevented from getting information about the dangers of wireless devices?

Not smart meter-related, but a concern of many who are concerned about health and the failure of Health Can. to prevent corporations from profiting at our expense. Saturday, May 23 is “March Against Monsanto” and its Genetically Modified Foods across North America. Details can be found on line for marches in specific areas.

In Victoria, the March against Monsanto will be held at the legislative buildings May 23, 2015 12:45 PM

GMOs are in most of the regularly consumed processed foods The FDA Head has written letters warning against the use of GMO, The is no consensus among scientists that GMOs are safe. Other companies that are big into the use of GOMs include Dow Chemical and Coca Cola. World wide over 60 countries have bans on the use of GMOs, in North America there are not even laws requiring mandatory labeling of foods that contain GMOs.

Last night on CBS news in New York there was a short segment on electro-hypersensitive people’s reaction to microwave radiation.

(video 02:18) Seen At 11: Is Wi-Fi Making You Sick? by CBS New York – YouTube – May 20, 2015:

Below is a letter written to authorities responsible for our safety about the fire risks identified in Quebec

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Letters:

Added Comment:

It is encouraging to see that at least one mainstream paper has finally directed attention toward this critical EMF transmission issue – even though Mainstream Media in general is still siding with the indefensible Wireless Industry and Government WiFi promotion policies.

Public awareness is essential because the government’s policy – provincial and civic – to install WiFi in classrooms is endangering the health of all the children who are exposed in these classes – creating a looming health crisis, especially when one considers the additional electrosmog to which these children are all too frequently exposed in their home environment – cell phones. mobile phones, laptops, WiFi modems, computers, smart meters, etc, etc. – the list seems endless.

The public must be made aware of the fact that if the present WiFi path is continued and expanded, the “Techno-Expediency” to which we seem to be wed is literally sanctifying the health of an entire generation of children – and the DNA integrity of future offspring. .

The present WiFi policy is “criminal” since we have known of the adverse health effects of EMF and MR transmission for over a half century.
That’s right – for over 50 years.

So we must conclude that in the Industry’s boardroom deliberations, damaged children don’t factor into the equation – or as tolerable “collateral damage”. “Too Bad!”

Sir/Madam,

Comments on the Hydro Quebec News release and Concerns regarding B.C. Utilities’ smart meters equipped with power disconnect switches and their installation location.

Summary.

The analogue meter previously used by the Electrical Utilities was not deemed to be a source of sparking hazard. The new smart meter has a 200 Ampere built-in two pole power disconnect switch which is used as a Service Disconnect Device, interrupting the load current by remote control through software and firmware.

Note that the Régie du Bâtiment du Quebec (RBQ) and Hydro Quebec has terminated the use of the built-in disconnect switch until after it has been successfully tested, supervised by Québec’s industrial research centre (CRIQ), L’Association québécoise du propane (AQP) and RBQ.

It is strongly recommended that BC electrical and gas Utilities initiate an immediate inspection of all Smart meter installations to check the proximity to fuel sources, not only propane tanks but also all other fuel sources, as described briefly herein and in more detail in the Canadian Electrical Codes, National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) Standards, Occupational Health (OHSA) codes and the like.

Full documentation of each inspected installation is required in order to demonstrate that due diligence is being carried out. The BCUC and the BCSA need to be involved in the review process, and the Public needs to be advised of the reasons for the inspections and any remedial actions as well as the risks.

Sources of hazard can be both permanent and temporary, so both of these scenarios need to be reviewed, to ensure that the likelihood of failures that may lead to life-threatening situations for any persons, or to unacceptable damage to the material or to the environment, are minimized. The type of hazards, their likelihood of occurring, and the consequences need to be analyzed such that the required prevention, mitigation and remedial measures may be identified.

Possible Sources of Fuel.

The natural gas meter used in residential and in commercial applications is a potential source of ignitable vapour, so a 3 metre spacing from it as required by Hydro Quebec, would be prudent. For higher pressure gas systems the distance should be greater. Note that occasional very small volume gas leaks from low pressure systems might not be considered to be dangerous (see below) unless an obvious ignition source was also present. Gas systems therefore need to be well maintained and inspected.

Note that in these comments, where “gas” is mentioned, it must be assumed that any explosive mixture, any flammable mixture and any combustible mixture are deemed to be included.

Each of these can be ignited by a spark, resulting in flames and / or explosions and affecting nearby personnel, structures and equipment.

This is a complicated subject that is dealt with regularly in the Oil & Gas Industry and requires the following of strict procedures and requirements, and adherence to the Canadian Codes, NFPA, OHSA and other Standards.

Ignition Source.

The disconnect switch built into the meter will produce a spark when it interrupts electric current. There is information published by Itron that describes that the interrupt feature can operate repetitively until a successful power-off state is reached. What happens to the switch if there is a mal-operation due to switch failure, software or firmware errors or a fire has not been examined.

Other components, such as the meter’s Li-Ion battery, and capacitors would be possible ignition sources during a component failure, however the gas would need to be present in an explosive mixture at the same time.

During a large upset, there can be simultaneous failures involving different systems, contributing to major incidents (for example an earthquake). We are not aware of any seismic rating requirement for the smart meter and the built-in disconnect switch in the different B.C. earthquake Zones. Perhaps in critical applications such as Hospitals, the smart meter and the built-in disconnect switch might require Seismic Ratings.

The surface temperature of the tested operating meters has been shown to be as high as 77 Deg. C under limited operating “test” conditions. Note: it is not clear whether the meters were tested while carrying full load current and if the two internal transmitters were operating. The actual meter temperature in service on site has not been verified.

The temperature ratings or the operating surface temperatures of equipment must be below the Auto-Ignition Temperature of the hazardous substances.

Industry applies a “safe area” definition if the probability of an explosive mixture being present is low, as defined in the Codes and Standards. Anything above that must be defined per API Standards as a Classified Area, and Canadian Code compliance would be mandatory, requiring equipment which, if it can produce sparks, or if it can exceed the specified surface temperature must be rated and contained within specified enclosures, or installed a safe distance away from the source of hazard.

To repeat, it is not only the sparking, (electrical and electrostatic) but also the problem can be the surface temperature of a device, even if it does not spark, because the hot surface of a motor or an engine, or any component can ignite gas, vapour or other flammable, explosive or combustible materials.

Each gas has its own characteristic Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) and ignition temperature. Propane (refer to Hydro Quebec news release) and butane have quite a low LEL, at between 2% and 10% LEL, followed by Methane (the main component of natural gas).

If the smart meter is being installed in or near garages, saw mills and other work or storage areas, then there can be a risk of ignition of not only gas, but of other combustibles, as described herein.

The smart meter must be installed a safe distance from all sources of combustible gas, liquids or other ignitable or flammable substances.

Common sense requires that the Utilities err on the side of Public safety, and must not ignore these warnings.

Once again, I need to remind recipients that I have issued my concerns over a year ago to BCUC, BCSA and CSA about :

No oversight of BC Hydro by the BCUC or the BCSA, and

The risks in using a power switch for a purpose for which it does not appear to be designed , i.e a Service Disconnect Switch as defined in CSA Standards.

Hydro-Québec reports on progress in its survey of electricity meter installations and inspections of clearance between stationary propane tanks and meters and will publish the data on its Web site.

So far, close to 15% of installations have been inspected and more than 96% of them either have the regulation clearance or have no propane tank on their property.

The Régie du Bâtiment du Quebec (RBQ) is of the opinion that a next-generation meter should be located at least three metres from a stationary propane tank. Hydro-Québec employees are currently making the rounds of customers who have outdoor meters to make sure that there is enough clearance. Remote service interruption is totally safe for the close to a million customers who have their meters indoors.

Hydro-Québec would like to reassure its customers. Only one of the new meter’s functions—remote service interruption—is in question. Although the risk has not been confirmed, Hydro-Québec is eliminating any potential risk by deactivating this function.

Hydro-Québec recently sent out a notice to all installers, reminding them not to replace any electricity meter if the installation is not up to code. Gas suppliers also have a responsibility to install propane tanks at the regulation distance where the meter location is known.

Within the next few days, Hydro-Québec will start to perform tests at its research centre with representatives of CRIQ (Québec’s industrial research centre) in attendance to determine the risk of using the remote service interruption function near a gas leak. Once the tests have been completed, discussions will be held with the RBQ and AQP to decide what to do next and, as needed, to amend the standards on the basis of the knowledge acquired.

To date, we have checked the installations of 14.61% of our customers.

INSTALLATIONS UP TO CODE

No stationary propane tank

258,185

85.91%

Meter at least 3 m from stationary propane tank

9,279

3.09%

Other1

23,078

7.68%

Total

290,542

96.68%

NONCOMPLIANT INSTALLATIONS

Meter within 3 m of stationary propane tank

4,228

1.40%

INACCESSIBLE INSTALLATIONS

Meter inaccessible at time of survey (for example, locked gate)

5,763

1.92%

TOTAL

300,533

100%

The survey also included 23,078 new meters for which information in Hydro-Québec records did not allow their locations to be accurately determined. The survey confirmed that those meters were installed indoors and they are therefore up to code.